In a surprise move, former GOP Sen. Al D’Amato has endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president — passing over surging Donald Trump, Jeb Bush as well as local candidates Chris Christie and George Pataki.

“We Republicans need to capture the White House and in order to do that, we must win Ohio. John Kasich is the only candidate who can assure us of that victory,” D’Amato said Wednesday in a statement released by the Kasich campaign.

“John Kasich will make America strong and respected. He is a leader, plain and simple. He’s the only candidate in the race with a proven record of leadership on state and federal levels.”

D’Amato cited Kasich’s solid record as a congressman prior to his election as Ohio governor. Kasich served on the House Budget Committee.

“Look at his success leading the work to balance the federal budget — it hasn’t been done since he left,” he said.

“John Kasich is a proven political winner in a very tough state for Republicans. He is the candidate who can get America back on track. I’m all in.”

In an interview with The Post, took shots at some of the other GOP contenders.

He said it’s time for the Republican Party to move past the Bush family.

“Jeb Bush is the same old, same old. Tired. The Bushes had their time,” he said.

D’Amato said the George Washington bridge-gate scandal made Christie, the New Jersey governor, unfit for the presidency.

“If he can’t manage a bridge, how is he going to manage the country? We’re going to trust him to run the country?” D’Amato asked.

But he praised Trump for connecting with GOP voters angry with the direction of the country, particularly regarding immigration enforcement.

And D’Amato said his old pal Pataki, whom he helped elected New York governor, is a “wonderful guy” but would have a difficult time carrying Ohio.

Kasich treated the D’Amato endorsement as a coup.

“I’m just thrilled that the great Alfonse D’Amato is joining my team. I’d be content to just go out to his favorite pasta joint with him and listen to his stories, but that he’s going to help me and my campaign is incredible,” Kasich said.

Other Republicans are likely to point out that D’Amato, now a big-time lobbyist, is not a loyal Republican. Last year, he backed Democrat Andrew Cuomo for re-election over Republican rival Rob Astorino.